David Byrne has been writing and performing music and directing video and film for more than 30 years. He was mastermind and lead singer and guitar player for the Talking Heads, the innovative rock band, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. What might not be as well known is Byrne’s longtime passion for biking and advocacy for bicycles in cities. He’s written a new book, Bicycle Diaries, an account of his urban bicycle odyssey through the streets of Istanbul, Buenos Aires, London, Berlin, Paris, Belgrade, Sydney, Manila, New York and San Francisco. Byrne has gotten around New York on a bike since the early 1980s, and often brings a folding bike on tour. Bicycle Diaries features beautiful photography, personal anecdotes from Byrne’s wide travels and a strong argument for the way a bicycle can change our view of the world and the city in which we live.

David Byrne will be joined on stage by David Chiu, the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Leah Shahum, the Director of the San Francisco Bike Coalition; and Mike Teitz, Director of the Economy Program, a Senior Fellow, and former Director of Research at the Public Policy Institute of California. Together they will address the intersection between bicycle advocacy, urban planning, civic responsibility, and the pleasure of seeing the world from the vantage point of a bicycle.

4 Responses to “David Byrne in San Francisco Tonight”

Stephen says:

I’ve read about one-third of this book so far. I think David B. is the bomb, but frankly, a gifted writer he isn’t. It’s not bad, but it’s not poetry. Nonetheless, it’s his observations that are worthy of note. As a city planner who rides a bicycle (and has done so in a number of American cities and in a few European ones), I know very well what he sees, and it’s the stuff automobile drivers usually don’t see, nor the professionals and swells who build things only a car would love. And he calls it like he sees it. While not fine literature, it is certainly a fine book, and a subject I hope will get more attention as we stumble our way forward through this recession and whatever lies beyond it.

Alan-I don’t know if you listen to NPR-but this morning (Sunday 10-4) they interviewed David. He talked about his travels and his new book. I’m sure they will have it on their NPR.org page at some point. It was interesting.